WELCOME at LEISHNATDRUG

LEISHNATDRUG-R is a project of the Fifth Framework Programme of the European Commission within the thematic programme: International Cooperation.
The main objective of this project is to design molecular tools for gathering reliable information about the emergence and spreading of drug resistance in visceral and tegumentary leishmaniasis. The quality of information provided by these tools is essential for surveillance strategies and rational policy development.
This multi-disciplinary, multi-regional study is a 4-year project which started at the beginning of September 2001, and includes 6 participants, originating from Europe, Latin-America and Asia.

European Commission	Fifth Framework Programme	International cooperation

About the project

Leishmaniasis is a serious health problem in developing countries (more than 12 million affected), and is an emerging infectious disease problem in Southern Europe. Pentavalent antimonials (SbV) are the first-line treatment for both tegumentary and visceral leishmaniasis in most endemic countries and will remain as such for the forthcoming years. Disease control is being challenged by increased SbV resistance. To date all genetic markers reported in scientific literature corresponded to non-natural drug resistant Leishmania parasites. The genetic basis of such resistance in natural parasite populations needs to be examined. The respective contributions of the parasite, the host and extrinsic factors need to be integrated (click here for a detailed background of the project).